Ricardo Carvalho yesterday threw down the gauntlet to Manchester United by declaring Chelsea as champions-elect. Despite trailing Sir Alex Ferguson's side by three points the Portuguese international, who scored the equaliser in Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, said: "We are the best team in England and we are going to prove it. We will be champions.

"The goal I scored was important because it gave us a draw and prevented United from increasing the [three-point] gap. I didn't train all week and I'm very satisfied because Mourinho trusted me."

His team-mate Ashley Cole claims Chelsea are yet to hit their best form but he insists that when they do they are capable of winning the league for a third successive season. "We are not playing anywhere near as well as I know we can," he said. "I have played against Chelsea in past years and they have been brilliant. We are not hitting that peak and when we do - watch out. This is the period when the title is won. The second-half performance showed our character. I think we proved we're good enough to win the title again."